Utah has a high number of small businesses, with approximately 283,000 small businesses in the state as of 2020, representing 99.9% of all businesses in the state. There are a number of factors that may contribute to this high number of small businesses in Utah, including:

• Strong economy: Utah has a strong and growing economy, with low unemployment rates and a diverse range of industries. This can create a favorable environment for small businesses, with plenty of opportunities for growth and success.
• Favorable business climate: Utah has a business-friendly environment, with relatively low taxes and a streamlined regulatory process. This can make it easier to start and operate a small business in the state.
• Skilled workforce: Utah has a highly educated workforce, with a number of top-ranked universities and technical schools in the state. This can be beneficial for small businesses that need access to skilled employees.
• Supportive community: Utah has a strong sense of community, with many organizations and resources available to support small businesses. For example, the state has a number of business incubators and accelerators, as well as organizations like the Utah Small Business Development Center and SCORE, which offer business development resources and support.
• Quality of life: In addition to its strong business environment, Utah also offers a high quality of life, with a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, a thriving arts and culture scene, and a diverse population. This can make it an attractive place for entrepreneurs to live and work.

If you are considering starting a small business in Utah, it may be helpful to research the local market, reach out to local business resources, and speak with other small business owners in the area to get a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges that exist in the state. Work Hive is a great place to network! Work Hive is a flexible coworking space featuring a range of solutions to suit your need: we have private offices, solo work stations, conference rooms for group work, a kitchen area, and all the space, technology and amenities you need to get your team off the ground. We have locations in Downtown Salt Lake City, and Sugar House.

As a small business owner, managing your finances and controlling costs are essential for maximizing profitability. This can be a challenging task, especially in the early stages of your business, when you may be operating on a tight budget. But with the right approach, you can effectively manage your finances and keep your costs under control.

First, it's important to create a budget and stick to it. This means setting clear financial goals and forecasting your income and expenses. This can help you understand how much money you have to work with and where it's going. It's also a good idea to regularly review your budget to ensure that it's still on track and to make any necessary adjustments.

Next, it's crucial to carefully manage your cash flow. This means monitoring the money coming into and going out of your business and making sure you have enough to cover your expenses. It's also important to plan for unexpected expenses and to have a reserve of cash or credit to fall back on if needed.

Another key aspect of managing your finances is controlling costs. This means looking for ways to reduce expenses and increase efficiency in your business. This could include things like negotiating better rates with suppliers, reducing waste, and finding ways to automate or streamline processes. It's also important to regularly review your expenses to see if there are any areas where you can cut costs without sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction.

Finally, it's essential to keep track of your financial performance and make informed decisions based on the data. This means regularly reviewing your income and expenses, and using tools like financial ratios and break-even analysis to understand your profitability. It's also important to seek out professional advice and support, such as from an accountant or financial advisor, to help you manage your finances and make the best decisions for your business.

Managing your finances and controlling costs are critical for the success of your small business. By taking a strategic and disciplined approach, you can ensure that your business is profitable and sustainable in the long term.

Work Hive is a convenient and flexible community coworking space. We have the amenities you want and need to make your workday productive -- natural lighting, adjustable height desks in a quiet work studio, coffee, conference rooms, phone rooms, and, of course, high-speed internet. Book a tour, or give us a call if you would like to learn more or try it out!

As a small business owner, one of the most exciting things you can do is launch a new product or service. This can be a great way to grow your business and reach new customers, but it can also be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you successfully launch a new product or service.

1. First, it's important to carefully plan and research your new offering. This means understanding your target market and what they need or want. Conducting market research can help you identify potential customers and gather insights into their preferences and behavior. This can also help you understand the competition and position your product or service in a way that sets it apart.

2. Once you have a clear understanding of your market and product, it's time to develop a launch plan. This should include setting clear goals and objectives for the launch, as well as a timeline for key activities such as product development, marketing, and sales. It's also important to determine how you will measure the success of the launch, so you can make adjustments and improvements as needed.

3. Next, you'll need to create a marketing and sales strategy to reach potential customers and drive demand for your new product or service. This could include a range of activities, such as advertising, public relations, social media marketing, and email marketing. It's also important to build buzz and anticipation for the launch, through things like pre-launch promotions and special offers.

4. Finally, it's essential to manage the launch process carefully, to ensure that everything goes smoothly. This means working closely with your team, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure that everything is on track. It's also important to be prepared for potential challenges or issues that may arise, and to be ready to pivot or make changes as needed.

Launching a new product or service can be an exciting and rewarding experience for small business owners. By carefully planning and executing your launch, you can increase your chances of success and grow your business in the process.

If you have other strategies for managing product launch within a small business, share those ideas with your network at Work Hive! As this is an ever-evolving topic, it is never a bad idea to share your latest strategies with your fellow Work Hive community members in Salt Lake City. Work Hive is a great place to grow your network!

As a small business owner, what keeps you up at night? Is it the lack of sales? Not enough money? Issues with employees? Or something else?

Unfortunately, the stress will never go away, but learning how to manage it is vital to the success of your business.  

In an Entrepreneur.com article, Mike Kappel, a serial entrepreneur, gives five tips on how to manage and combat your stress as a small business owner. 

Remember what’s going right.

“You can improve your stress management in business by reminding yourself of the things that are going right. List out all your accomplishments and any small business milestones you’ve achieved. There are probably more than you realize. Don’t neglect even the smallest accomplishments. Put your list somewhere you can easily see it, such as on your desk or the wall. Whenever you feel stressed about all the things that are going wrong, look at your list. Take a moment to remember all the things that have gone right.”

Prioritize your goals.

“Write down everything that you need to complete. Then, rank your tasks from greatest to least. The things you need to do first should be at the top of your list. As you work, focus on the most important tasks. Once you finish those, you can move down the list. You’re essentially creating an agenda for yourself.”

Kappel discusses the anxiety that might come with seeing a long to-do list. He suggests trying to not get overwhelmed with the list and to focus on the next item on your list. 

Purge your brain.

It is critical for your well-being to separate work and home, but sometimes it’s impossible. When work will not leave your mind, Kappel suggests writing everything down. 

“When my brain won’t shut down, I write everything down that my mind is trying to process. I’ll write down my problem, possible solutions and miscellaneous notes. Sometimes writing everything out can take a while, but it’s worth it. After I write everything down, I can relax and sleep. My brain doesn’t have anything to process because I put all my thoughts in a safe place. I don’t have to worry about my business for a time because I know everything is waiting for me later, and I don’t have to worry about forgetting anything.”

Take breaks.

Sometimes when the stress is beginning to overwhelm you, take a break — step away from the stressor! Kappel suggests that even a ten-minute break can do wonders for you. 

“When you take a break, do something that relaxes you. Go for a walk. Get some coffee. Call a friend. Watch a funny video. Don’t do anything business related. When you get back to your business, you will have a clearer mind. You will have fresh energy to tackle the task. And, stepping away might even open your eyes to a new and better way to complete the task.”

Take care of yourself. 

“Good health is important when you’re an entrepreneur. Running a business takes a lot out of you. Your small business comes with long nights, early mornings, no weekends and no sick days. Your nonstop life puts strain on your body, and then you add stress on top of that.”

Kappel suggests drinking water, eating regularly, sleep, and exercise! Exercising can help release some of your anxieties and stresses, while contributing to your physical health. 

As a small business owner, what keeps you up at night? Is it the lack of sales? Not enough money? Issues with employees? Or something else?

Unfortunately, the stress will never go away, but learning how to manage it is vital to the success of your business.  

In an Entrepreneur.com article, Mike Kappel, a serial entrepreneur, gives five tips on how to manage and combat your stress as a small business owner. 

Remember what’s going right.

“You can improve your stress management in business by reminding yourself of the things that are going right. List out all your accomplishments and any small business milestones you’ve achieved. There are probably more than you realize. Don’t neglect even the smallest accomplishments. Put your list somewhere you can easily see it, such as on your desk or the wall. Whenever you feel stressed about all the things that are going wrong, look at your list. Take a moment to remember all the things that have gone right.”

Prioritize your goals.

“Write down everything that you need to complete. Then, rank your tasks from greatest to least. The things you need to do first should be at the top of your list. As you work, focus on the most important tasks. Once you finish those, you can move down the list. You’re essentially creating an agenda for yourself.”

Kappel discusses the anxiety that might come with seeing a long to-do list. He suggests trying to not get overwhelmed with the list and to focus on the next item on your list. 

Purge your brain.

It is critical for your well-being to separate work and home, but sometimes it’s impossible. When work will not leave your mind, Kappel suggests writing everything down. 

“When my brain won’t shut down, I write everything down that my mind is trying to process. I’ll write down my problem, possible solutions and miscellaneous notes. Sometimes writing everything out can take a while, but it’s worth it. After I write everything down, I can relax and sleep. My brain doesn’t have anything to process because I put all my thoughts in a safe place. I don’t have to worry about my business for a time because I know everything is waiting for me later, and I don’t have to worry about forgetting anything.”

Take breaks.

Sometimes when the stress is beginning to overwhelm you, take a break — step away from the stressor! Kappel suggests that even a ten-minute break can do wonders for you. 

“When you take a break, do something that relaxes you. Go for a walk. Get some coffee. Call a friend. Watch a funny video. Don’t do anything business related. When you get back to your business, you will have a clearer mind. You will have fresh energy to tackle the task. And, stepping away might even open your eyes to a new and better way to complete the task.”

Take care of yourself. 

“Good health is important when you’re an entrepreneur. Running a business takes a lot out of you. Your small business comes with long nights, early mornings, no weekends and no sick days. Your nonstop life puts strain on your body, and then you add stress on top of that.”

Kappel suggests drinking water, eating regularly, sleep, and exercise! Exercising can help release some of your anxieties and stresses, while contributing to your physical health.